The case against Zimmerman

The case against Zimmerman

A Denver artist has created a portrait of Florida shooting suspect George Zimmerman using more than 12,000 Skittles _ the candy that 17-year-old Trayvon Martin was carrying when Zimmerman fatally shot him. The 3-by-4-foot portrait was done by 31-year-old Andy Bell, an art student about to graduate from Metro State College in Denver. (AP Photo/The Denver Post, Ray Rinaldi)

Prosecutors outlined their murder case in court papers Thursday, April 12 against George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

After weeks of media speculation and misinformation, prosecutors outlined a case that shows why the serious charge of second-degree murder is appropriate and necessary.

To prove second-degree murder, prosecutors must show that Zimmerman committed an “imminently dangerous” act that showed a “depraved lack of regard for human life.” The charge carries a mandatory sentence of 25 year in prison and a maximum of life.

Zimmerman is expected to plead not guilty.

In court papers, prosecutors said Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, profiled, followed and confronted Martin after police dispatchers told him to back off.

To show Zimmerman profiled Martin the affidavit said: “During a recorded call to a police dispatcher, Zimmerman ‘made reference to people he felt had committed and gotten away with break-ins in his neighborhood. Later while talking about Martin, he said “these a-----s, they always get away’ and also said “these f----g punks,”

The affidavit continued: “when the police dispatcher realized Zimmerman was pursing Martin, he instructed Zimmerman not to do that and that the responding officer would meet him, Zimmerman disregarded the police dispatcher and continued to follow Martin who was trying to rerun to his home.”

The prosecution outlined a strong case that appears to contradict Zimmerman’s claim that Martin attacked him after he had turned away and was returning to his vehicle.

In the affidavit, prosecutors also said that Martin’s mother identified cries for help heard in the background of a call to police as her son’s.

Forensic experts hired by the Orlando Sentinel said the cries for help were not the voice of Zimmerman.